Praise for Labour’s parking levy pledge

ENVIRONMENT campaigners have welcomed the pledge in Labour’s council election manifesto for Edinburgh to lobby for the power to introduce a workplace parking levy.

Friends of the Earth also praised promises to create a low emission zone in the city to tackle pollution; aim to complete the tram line to Newhaven; introduce a cycle hire scheme; create a dedicated budget for walking to help pedestrians; and increase the number of electric buses in the Capital.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s air pollution campaigner Emilia Hanna said the manifesto – launched on Tuesday by council leader Andrew Burns – set a high standard for all parties across Scottish cities in the forthcoming election.

She said Edinburgh had battled with dangerous and illegal levels of air pollution for many years, with motorised transport the key culprit.

“Edinburgh Labour’s vision for transport is transformational and holistic, and we urge all parties in all cities across Scotland to put people’s needs at the heart of these elections. By making it easier for people to walk, cycle, use the bus or the tram, politicians can transform urban environments and deliver cleaner air, healthier people, and thriving local economies.”